PEMBERTON: Pistons' second unit leading them to wins

Detroit Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey (3) stands on the court after missing a jump shot with one second remaining that would have broke a 96-96 tie in the fourth quarter Sundaye. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

It’s been 10 years since the Pistons had a group come off the bench that was nicknamed “The Alternators” a play off the Pistons team name.

The group was able to change or alternate the dynamic of the game and more times than not increased a lead or cut into a deficit. The group was a huge hit with the fans and even had their own Alternators t-shirt.

It might be time for the Pistons to dust off those old t-shirts and bring back The Alternators nickname.

Detroit’s current second unit has played a huge role in the team winning six of its last eight games.

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In the last eight games, Detroit’s bench has outscored its opponents 409-220 or an average of 51.1 to 27.5.

Also in the span, the Pistons bench scored a franchise record 85 points in a double overtime loss at Atlanta.

“I think we’re doing a good job collectively,” Austin Daye said. “The second unit has done a good job of trying to stay consistent, trying to move the ball, trying to get good shots. Whenever we’re getting good shots it’s to our advantage.

“When we’re pressing and trying to make plays individually it’s not going to work that way. When we can work together as a group and get good shots, we’re being very productive on the offensive end.”

The Pistons bench has been so effective because the pieces fit well together. Will Bynum and Andre Drummond both excel in the pick-and-roll and are able to play off each other. Whether it’s Bynum finishing or Bynum finding Drummond for an easy dunk, the two play well together.

The shooting of Daye and Charlie Villanueva helps open up things for Bynum and Drummond or if teams want to clog the lane to stop Bynum and Drummond, Daye and Villanueva make them pay from the outside.

“With Austin and Charlie out there, it’s a perfect balance of players out there,” Bynum said. “With (Austin) and Charlie out there and Andre rolling to the basket, it’s kind of like pick your poison. Austin’s a guy who can score 20 in a quarter when he gets hot and Charlie’s the same way. It’s tough for teams to deal with.”

Daye and Villanueva are both known for being quality outside shooters, but have been shooting the ball even more efficient than their career averages.

Daye is a career 41.2 percent 3-point shooter, but has shot 56.5 percent (13 for 23) since entering the rotation this season.

Villanueva is a career 35 percent 3-point shooter and since entering the rotation has shot 41.3 percent (43 for 104).

When Villanueva and Daye are shooting the ball at that high of a percentage, it really makes the second unit tough to defend.

“We’re able to spread the floor and we’re also able to knock down shots with a high consistency,” Daye said. “When you’re shooting a good field-goal percentage it definitely helps out.”

The outside shooting also positively impacts Drummond. When teams can’t collapse on him or are forced to help, that’s when Drummond makes them pay with his athleticism near the rim.

In his last eight games, Drummond is averaging nine points and 10 rebounds.

“Andre has functioned very effectively with shooting around him and with a pick-and-roll point guard,” Pistons coach Lawrence Frank said. “Now if he doesn’t have shooting around him then he’s not getting those lobs.”

Bynum has also benefited and is averaging 12.8 points and 4.9 assists in his last eight games.

“Sometimes depending on how the defense play, it’s going to be my game,” Bynum said. “Sometimes it’s going to be Andre’s game. Sometimes it’s going to be Charlie and Austin’s game. It’s just making the right decisions when put in those situations. We all understand that so it’s not like one guy is out there trying to get the glory. It’s about us doing, what we’re doing finding the open guy and making the right reads.”

Teams have to make a decision to take away the outside shooting or take away the pick-and-roll game.

“Mainly they’ll start off hugging us then once they give up a couple lobs and a couple layups then they’ll sag off and be able to give up a couple 3s or a couple open jump shots which they don’t want to do,” Daye said. “Either way, it’s kind of you have to pick your poison.

“Within our group you never know who’s going to have a big night. (Against Charlotte) it wasn’t my night, it was Charlie’s night, (the game) before was my night, (the game) before was Dre and Will. With us, it’s trying to find our niche on the offensive end, which I think we’re doing and then also being able to collectively get stops together as a group.”

To Frank, getting stops is key for the second unit. Frank knows the second unit is talented offensively, but giving up 38 points in the second quarter to Charlotte is not acceptable.

“When you’re playing pick-and-roll basketball, you have a good pick-and-roll player in Will, you have shooting around Andre and you have Andre’s athleticism that fits from an offensive standpoint,” Frank said. “Now the challenge is, can you defend? That group prior to (the Charlotte game) was doing a good job defensively.

“You gotta play both ends. I don’t just evaluate based on the offense. But those guys have a good chemistry and spirit. They played, with maybe one game as an exception, pretty much no agenda basketball, which that’s how we got to play. They place at a pace, a spirit, an energy level and that’s important.”

The Pistons have had four days off leading up Friday’s game at Milwaukee and coach Frank hinted at some possible changes in the playing combinations. But for now the second unit has been a strength and just might be able to sell a few more “Alternators” t-shirts as well.

Dave Pemberton covers the Pistons for Journal Register Newspapers. Email him at dave.pemberton@oakpress.com and follow him on Twitter @drpemberton.